Spray painting a movement
By Ava Bourdeu, Staff Writer
June 2020: amidst a raging pandemic and a tense political climate, millions of Americans took to the streets to protest the unjust death of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and many more Black victims of police brutality. Outraged, outspoken and desperate for change, members of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement have spent the past few years spreading their message through protests, and turning to social media and street art as ways to increase awareness.
Graffiti has long since been considered a political art form. Not only does it serve to add feeling to impersonal urban settings, but it has also been a source of rebellion and expression since the hip-hop and punk movements of the eighties. Now, it’s a common sight across Santa Monica and Venice, with the Black Lives Matter movement serving as an important source of inspiration for local street art.
As summer trudged on in greater Los Angeles, tensions concerning police brutality, looting and protests ran high. Previously bustling streets in areas like downtown Santa Monica and Venice’s Abbot Kinney Blvd. were suddenly lined with boarded up shops and devoid of people. Looting was becoming disturbingly common as a form of misguided violent protest, thus stores took necessary precautions to protect their goods.
Yet, walking down these streets, the plywood-decked windows made it impossible for people to ignore the less than ideal situation we were all in. The boarded windows served as reminders for the ugly, violent things people are all too capable of, while also begging the question of how we got to this messy point.
That is until talented graffiti artists from all over the West Side took matters into their own hands, bringing vibrancy back to these areas by using these plywood boards as their canvas. From simple lettering decreeing “Black Lives Matter” to expressionist renderings of figures such as George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the artwork served as a reminder for what we are fighting for. Rather than walking down the boarded up streets and being reminded of violence and turmoil, people are now invited to think about empowerment, equality and justice.
Since summertime, protests and looting have largely died down, and stores have begun to open up. However, the widespread demand for change invoked by the BLM movement’s resurgence continues to inspire street artists across America. The Los Angeles-based organization Paint the City Peaceful has brought together several street artists to create beautiful murals throughout Santa Monica and Greater Los Angeles. Art created through this organization, as well as by independent artists, has helped to amplify the movement and convey the emotions felt by those involved. The murals also serve to remind us of the movement, as they are permanent messages pertaining to the BLM movement.
Many of these murals depict likenesses of figures such as Floyd and Taylor, who were wronged by the system. Other important motifs are the raised fist as well as statements such as “I can’t breathe” and “Black lives matter”. The murals are done in a variety of styles, from realistic portraits to expressive, stylized figures. Nevertheless, they all convey the same message of unity, equality and empowerment.
The BLM street art that can be found throughout the area, from Downtown Santa Monica to Pico Boulevard, reminds us of the importance of fighting for racial equality, while also adding vibrancy to the city. While art alone cannot change society, it captures our emotions and reiterates the consequences of injustices, inspiring us to raise our voices and demand change.